CARFOCALvehicle research
Research CarsCompareRankingsArticles
  1. Home›
  2. Manufacturers›
  3. Acura›
  4. TL›
  5. 2011›
  6. Complaints

2011 Acura TL Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 20263 Critical Recalls
Ryan Davis
2011 Acura TL Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary

The 2011 Acura TL has 23 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve air bags and engine.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

7.8/ 10

Based on 23 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

AIR BAGS

13 56.5%

ENGINE

3 13%

STEERING

1 4.3%

POWER TRAIN

1 4.3%

SERVICE BRAKES

1 4.3%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is AIR BAGS, accounting for 56.5% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 9 distinct vehicle systems.

  • Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.

Subscribe to Recall Alerts

Get notified when a new recall or important ownership update lands for the 2011 Acura TL.

Free alerts based on U.S. recall data. Unsubscribe anytime.

Complaint Summary

What owners keep reporting on the 2011 Acura TL

The 2011 Acura TL has 23 owner complaints in this dataset. AIR BAGS is the most common complaint category, representing about 57% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2011 Acura TL are AIR BAGS (13), ENGINE (3), STEERING (1).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 19 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.

What should buyers inspect on a used 2011 Acura TL?

Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.

Read the full buyer guideRecall report and remedy notesMaintenance costs and intervals2012 TL complaints2013 TL complaints2014 TL complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 9 of 9 systems

AIR BAGS

13 Reports57% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TAKATA RECALL- TOOK CAR IN FOR BATTERY REPLACEMENT. INFORMED OF RECALL. TOLD REPLACEMENT COULDN'T TAKE PLACE UNTIL SOMETIME IN SUMMER. OFFERED A CAR AS TEMPORARY REPLACEMENT. IT WAS INDICATED CAR WOULDN'T BE OF QUALITY OF MINE, WOULD BE OF ENTERPRISE RENTAL QUALITY. I THOUGHT THIS WAS UNREASONABLE CONSIDERING THE PERIOD OF TIME. I DECLINED THE OFFER. WAS TOLD TO SIGN A LETTER OF REFUSAL. WASN'T TOLD DECLINE WAS AN OPTION (DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS). REQUIRED MY SIGNATURE ON THE DECLINATION. LATER I REALIZED THAT WAS MOST LIKELY A PLOY TO ESCAPE LITIGATION AGAINST ACURA AND/OR TAKATA IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT: OFFERING AN UNDESIRABLE OPTION AND LEAVING AN OWNER WITH REDUCED GROUNDS TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION IF HE SHOULD DECLINE. SHOULD THIS BE ALLOWED?

3/10/2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 27 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A STOP SIGN AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE INFLATOR RUPTURED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE FACE, NECK, NOSE, CHEST, HANDS, AND SPINE. THE CONTACT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,000. UPDATED 05/18/16*LJ *TR

3/29/2016

11 more complaints are available in this category.

ENGINE

3 Reports13% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING,I WAS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND WE SMELLED RUBBER BURNING NEXT WE NOTICED SMOKE FROM THE HOOD AREA. WE PULLED OVER TURNED ON THE FLASHERS AND OPENED THE HOOD AND SMOKE CAME OUT HEAVY AND I SAW A FIRE AT THE BOTTOM OF ENGINE AREA.WE CALLED 911 AND A FIRE TRUCK PUT OUT THE FLAMES. THE ENGINE WAS DESTROYED. THEY TOWED IT TO A AUTO SHOP AND WE ARE WAITING FOR AN INSURANCE AGENT TO CONTACT US. FYI WE WERE DRIVING ON A THREE LANE STREET CALLED PORTOLA DRIVE IN SAN FRANCISCO CA. *TR

12/1/2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED OUT AND DISPERSED THE SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER BRADSHAW ACURA (2450 LAURENS RD, GREENVILLE, SC 29607, (864) 297-4529) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING AN UNKNOWN BOX ASSEMBLY, EPS, APS UNIT, AND SUB-HARNESS TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000.*DT

1/29/2021

1 more complaint is available in this category.

STEERING

1 Report4% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY TO WORK AND MY ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WENT OUT I ALMOST HIT A TRACTOR TRAILER AND IT CAUSED ME TO HAVE A PANIC ATTACK BECAUSE IT ALL HAPPENED SO FAST I DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO BESIDES SLAM ON THE BRAKES. THIS ISSUE COULD OF POTENTIALLY CAUSED MY DEATH OR OTHER PEOPLES DEATH OR INJURY , THIS COULD OF ENDED OUT BAD. CAN YOU PLEASE CONTACT ME ASAP REGARDING THIS ISSUE. AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM BECAUSE ANY ACURA OWNERS WITH HIGH MILES ON THE VEHICLES COULD END UP HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE AND COULD END UP BEING A LAW SUIT.

10/4/2017

POWER TRAIN

1 Report4% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

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

8/13/2020

SERVICE BRAKES

1 Report4% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

WHILE TRYING MAE A QU VERSIN SUSCITADOS EN HABLARAN

8/16/2020

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 Report4% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

WHILE TRYING MAE A QU VERSIN SUSCITADOS EN HABLARAN

8/16/2020

SEATS

1 Report4% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

WHILE TRYING MAE A QU VERSIN SUSCITADOS EN HABLARAN

8/16/2020

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 Report4% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

Driving my 2011 Acura TL on I95 South in NC from VA to SC at about 2p on 12/2/22, It is a clear sunny day. It is 62 degrees out, there were no vehicles around and no debris flying or dropping and no overpasses or anything around. Heard a loud explosion. Sounded like a shovel with a ton of rocks being dropped on the roof. Opened the slider for moonroof (which is a original manufactured item) and realized the sound was the moonroof glass. The glass was shattered and huge amount missing. Glass rained down into the car all over everything including me. No evidence of any source of cause for this happening. Just glass shards. Appears to have just combusted on its own? Prior to this event the moonroof was operable and in good working order with no cracks or anything. Setup a service appointment for tomorrow 12/3/22 at 3p at McDaniel's Acura dealership in Charleston, SC

12/2/2022

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

1 Report4% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

Driving my 2011 Acura TL on I95 South in NC from VA to SC at about 2p on 12/2/22, It is a clear sunny day. It is 62 degrees out, there were no vehicles around and no debris flying or dropping and no overpasses or anything around. Heard a loud explosion. Sounded like a shovel with a ton of rocks being dropped on the roof. Opened the slider for moonroof (which is a original manufactured item) and realized the sound was the moonroof glass. The glass was shattered and huge amount missing. Glass rained down into the car all over everything including me. No evidence of any source of cause for this happening. Just glass shards. Appears to have just combusted on its own? Prior to this event the moonroof was operable and in good working order with no cracks or anything. Setup a service appointment for tomorrow 12/3/22 at 3p at McDaniel's Acura dealership in Charleston, SC

12/2/2022

About This Data

Data and Methodology

MethodologyHow we score →

Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.

FAQ

What are the most common owner complaints for the 2011 Acura TL?

The most reported complaint category for the 2011 Acura TL is AIR BAGS, with 13 owner reports. That is about 57% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include AIR BAGS, ENGINE, STEERING.

Are complaints about the 2011 Acura TL a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 19 complaint reports fall into higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components. That does not prove every vehicle has a defect, but repeated complaints in those systems justify a more careful pre-purchase inspection.

How should buyers use complaint data for the 2011 Acura TL?

Use complaints as an early pattern to investigate, not a standalone verdict. Start with the top complaint categories, compare those themes against the recall report and maintenance guide, then inspect service records for evidence that the same problem areas were already addressed. If the same issue appears repeatedly across complaints and recalls, treat it as a real ownership-risk flag.

Are complaints about the 2011 Acura TL severe?

19 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection before purchase.

Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.

Read complaint summaries

Acura TL: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?

Use complaint patterns together with recalls and maintenance guidance to estimate ownership risk and inspection priorities.

Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.

Return to full vehicle report
Complaint entries
23
Top-topic view
5 grouped topics shown
Primary source
NHTSA ODI owner complaint records

We may earn a commission via links on this page.

In this guide

  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Common Problems
  3. 03Owner Complaints
  4. 04Data and Methodology

Start here

Buyer guideMaintenance guideRecall reportTuning guide

Get recall and ownership alerts for the 2011 Acura TL

Get our free model-year alerts and ownership updates.

Sign Up

We may earn a commission if you buy parts through our links. Learn more.

Carfocal

Automotive Research

Real data on vehicle reliability, safety, and ownership costs.

  • Used Car Research
  • Reliability Rankings
  • Buying Guides

  • Data Sources & Methodology
  • Editorial Standards
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Legal Disclosures
  • Terms of Service

© 2026 Carfocal · All Rights Reserved